We don't need mask mandates, says former White House COVID-19 response coordinator

Various health experts, such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, are again recommending the implementation of mask mandates like during the worst stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. This comes despite data that new coronavirus variants are not making the same impact of their predecessors and while the very effectiveness of masks is being questioned by the scientific community.

In that context, Dr. Deborah Birx, who served as the Trump Administration's COVID-19 response coordinator, said mask mandates are no longer necessary.

"We don't need to mandate," Birx told Newsmax, during an interview.

She added: "We need to actually empower people with the information that they need for themselves and their families because every family is different. And by the way, outside is safe, and playgrounds are safe."

Birx was one of the senior officials who helped lead the country's early response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a report by The Epoch Times, several hospitals in upstate New York are imposing mask mandates for their staff, patients and visitors.

Those hospitals include United Health Services in Binghamton; Auburn Community Hospital, in Auburn; University Hospital, Syracuse; and Samaritan Health facilities in Watertown.

Also in Santa Rosa, Calif., health giant Kaiser Permanente reimposed mask mandates at its facilities following a surge in positive cases among patients.

But hospitals aren't the only facilities enforcing mask mandates. Morris Brown College in Atlanta and Lionsgate Studio in Santa Monica, Calif., also placed again several controversial health measures into effect for their students and employees at the end of August.